Chapter 593 Something Bothering You
Archer saw a small army of knights in front of the bodyguard's bodies. The fallen enemy's armor differed from the soldiers surrounding Sia and Shiva. As he looked at the cat girl, the sight caused a raw, bone-deep sorrow to well up within him.
Suddenly, the scene shifted to another battlefield, where flying beasts scavenged the remains. A vast expanse of silver armor shimmered in the sunlight.
However, Archer's gaze fell upon a tragic sight. A colossal red dragon whom he instantly recognized and added to the grief, her body pierced by enormous bolts surrounded by countless soldiers, lay charred to black.
"Sera." He whispered to himself.
Archer looked at the dragon girl's worn-out body, with broken claws and a battered tail, which was heartbreaking. The bolts, penetrating through the once-protective scales, highlighted the severity of her fight.
The other five girls were in the same condition as the others, and this caused Archer's heart to be shattered at the sight, overwhelmed by the pain of witnessing such a devastating scene.
However, a solemn voice behind him interrupted his chaotic thoughts. ''This is your fate, white dragon. Everything you hold dear will be taken from you. Many empires are envious of the Avalon Empire as it's your home. Your growing power threatens them.''
He turned to see a middle-aged man wearing a white glowing robe. The man continued. ''But you need to win the tournaments to unite the world under the white banner so they can fight the incoming threat.''
Archer was still in turmoil with everything he saw but wasn't stupid and asked. ''So there's two enemies I have to fight? And who are you exactly?''
"I am a Watcher. Thrylos has been under our observation for an extended period. I've foreseen the return of the Terravains, who are a great threat to the world they infest. The dark gods created them to destroy the work of the gods who requested us to oversee their planets, but of late, our failures have outweighed our successes."
The Watcher transferred them to a white room with a screen made from mana in front of him and continued talking after introducing himself.
"Not just one, young one. Countless enemies are awaiting you. It all commences if you win in the Celestial Magic Tournament. Should you emerge victorious, you shall gain some powerful allies, but beware, for with them comes a legion of enemies.''
''Who are the enemies? I'll visit them when I wake up.''contemporary romance
The Watcher started laughing before informing him of the unfortunate news. ''I cannot see into the future myself. I see visions, glimpses in time which you saw, but I've learned that they don't always come true.''
Archer's eyes widened, and they asked in a hope-filled voice. ''What do I need to do to change this?''
"You mustn't be lazy and aloof like those who preceded you. I've witnessed your determination and ambition. It's uncommon for someone who is as power to desire something so simple, but who am I to question your motives? Just grow stronger, Archer Wyldheart."
The Watcher raised three fingers before speaking calmly as he finished speaking. "The initial assault will begin months after the tournament finishes, extending over years that will ravage Pluoria and the other continents. The second strike takes the shape of an alliance that will invade all different lands, and finally, the third is the ultimate and most dangerous encounter that will be worldwide."
Archer looked confused, so he asked. ''Why so cryptic? Just tell me who's attacking!''
"I cannot involve myself more than I already am. Once the gods figure out I helped you, they will erase me."
He nodded in understanding and thanked the man for the warning. After that, he was sent back to his body with the promise of one more meeting when the time was right.
Archer jolted awake, his breath ragged and his heart pounding in his chest. The vivid images of the battlefield, Sera's lifeless body, and the cryptic warnings from the Watcher lingered in his mind.
His eyes darted around the room, searching for signs of the nightmarish scenes he had just witnessed. The soft glow of the moonlight spilled through the window, casting a gentle illumination on the walls.
It took a moment for his racing mind to register his surroundings –the familiar room, the cozy furniture, and the comforting presence of the other girls.
Who were still in the same bed as him, all sprawled out. Legs, arms, and hair were all over him, causing Archer to teleport himself out of bed. When doing that, he turned around to count them.# He saw six girls who were sleeping comfortably.
Archer wondered where the others went, closed his eyes to scan the treehouse, saw they were in their rooms, and sighed in relief. Once he did that, he left the bedroom and walked through the hallways.
He stretched his head and was still confused due to the dream. The pain of seeing all his girls lingered, but knowing he could change it seemed to calm him down. Archer walked through the silent halls of the treehouse.
The images from his dream still lingered, and he needed peace to relax. He reached the kitchen, its warmth and familiar aroma providing a comforting presence. Archer found the ingredients for hot cocoa.
He filled a small pot with milk, set it on the stove, and added cocoa powder and sugar. As he waited for the mixture to heat, he couldn't shake the weight of the dream. The image of the girls and battlefield haunted him, and the Watcher's warnings echoed his thoughts.
The rain outside intensified, tapping rhythmically against the windows. Once he finished preparing his hot drink, he approached the balcony and realized it was soaked, which annoyed him.
Archer closed his eyes and shut off the domain from the outside world, cutting off the rain. After doing that, he caused a rush of hot air to wash over everything and dried the balcony so he could relax.
He took a seat and watched the sunrise while sipping on the cocoa. Archer remained there until Talila walked out and joined him, sitting beside him. The mixed elf commented as she spotted the expression on his face, "What's wrong with you, Arch? Something bothering you?"
Turning to the silver-haired girl he met so many years ago. He sighed before speaking. ''I had a bad dream and can't get it out of my head.''
Archer took a deep breath, looking at the horizon momentarily before turning to Talila. "I had a nightmare," he confessed, his voice carrying the weight of the disturbing images. "I saw a battlefield, and everyone was... dead."
Talila furrowed her brows, concern deepening in her eyes. "Dead? Who?" she asked, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
He took a deep breath, and with a heavy heart, he turned to her. The words weighed on his tongue, and he finally spoke after a moment of hesitation.
''I... I had a vision. A terrible one," he began, his voice laced with sorrow and turmoil. "I saw them, all the girls. Lifeless on a battlefield. It felt so real, and the grief, the pain... It's haunting me."
Talila's eyes widened, registering the gravity of his words. Concern etched across her features, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Arch, that sounds awful. Are you sure it was just a vision?"
Archer nodded, the weight of the revelation heavy on his shoulders. "I can't shake the feeling. It felt like a glimpse of a possible future. I need to protect them, Talila. I can't let that vision become a reality."
She saw the grief on his face and hugged him as she whispered. "We'll face whatever comes our way together, Arch. You're not alone in this, and we'll find a way to change that future."
Talila's comforting presence lingered, and Archer felt a warmth in her touch that reassured him. As the weight of the vision still pressed on his shoulders, he found solace in her company.
They sat silently for a while, the only sound being the gentle breeze and the occasional sip of cocoa. Without words, Talila scooted closer, her arm now draped over Archer's shoulders.
In a gentle tone, Talila's voice cut through the quiet, "I still remember that young boy I encountered many years ago, unable to tear his eyes away from me. And now, here I am, destined to wed that very boy. Fate certainly has a way of amusing itself, burdening me with such a lewd fiancé."
His gaze softened as he looked into her eyes, gratitude mingling with the turmoil within him. Talila's hand moved from his shoulder to gently cup his cheek. Before Archer could ask what was wrong, she kissed him.
The two shared a passionate kiss on the balcony as the warm air brushed up against their skin. After a little while, they separated when they heard the other girls in the living room.
[If there are any mistakes, point them out, and I'll edit it. Thanks]
done.co